Lined with restaurants, quaint cafés, bakeries, as well as cheese, wine and flower shops, picturesque Rue Montorgueil was once a popular rendezvous spot for celebrities such as Marcel Proust, Sarah Bernhardt, Honoré de Balzac and even Casanova. A place about which famous French writer, Émile Zola, said: “It’s like a taste of the countryside right in the heart of Paris.” As an attractive extra-curricular activity outside the workshops and activities we have already prepared fo

Writer? Some readers have contacted us about their interest in attending our international writing retreats but adding a caveat – that they are apprehensive because, they say, “I am not a writer.” As it seems to be a real concern for some people, we thought we should respond publicly in a way that reflects our attitude to writing and our aim in establishing Ireland Writing Retreat. Strange as it seems, our retreat is not for 'writers.’ Because we believe the term ‘writer’ is

Watching acclaimed author Umberto Eco sucking delectable juice from the heads of shrimp while discussing his first best-selling novel ‘The Name of The Rose,’ later to be a Hollywood movie starring Sean Connery. Sitting with crime writer John Grisham at the Bouillon Racine restaurant in the Latin Quarter of Paris discussing lawyers and murder. Chatting with famed Italian film-maker Federico Fellini’s sister as she did her washing on the balcony of her small Rimini apartment. J

‘A magnet,’ a ‘Mecca,’ an ‘incubator,’ a ‘hothouse’ for writers – all these things Paris has been called, and rightly so.’ This is the opening line of an enticing, well-researched book by Connecticut-born author David Burke entitled ‘Writers in Paris: Literary Lives in the City of Light.’ Dedicated to his lovely wife, a long-time film producer and editor, whom he describes simply as ‘the marvelous Joanne,’ David’s book is perhaps the most detailed of its kind and was one of t

Colorful, charismatic, creative and long-time literati leader – in many ways the modern ‘Sylvia Beach’ of today’s City of Light. That’s Mary Duncan – author, publisher, book-club organizer and incurable round-the-world traveler – whom I had the pleasure of meeting this month during a recent three-hour rendezvous at Café Panis opposite Notre Dame cathedral. Participants at this autumn’s special Paris Writing Retreat will have the pleasure of meeting this lovely lady in person

Summer greetings from the sun-drenched shores of northwest Donegal (yes, believe it or not, northwestern Ireland has been warmer that southern Spain in recent weeks). As we prepare for our last writing week of the year this September (only three places still available so hurry and sign up), we are also making plans well in advance for 2019. With hard work, determination and a bucket-full of enthusiasm, we are delighted to announce that we will host a total of FIVE separate wr